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This small island is mostly known for white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you decide to leave the Cruise Center, there are a few different ways to explore this little island. The massive duty-free shop at Grand Turk’s cruise port is only one of dozens of stores available within a short walk of the pier.
Hang out at Grand Turk Margaritaville
Grand Turk Cruise Port and Terminal Information - Cruise Critic
Grand Turk Cruise Port and Terminal Information.
Posted: Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The distance from the docking pier to the terminal is approx 120 m (390 ft). After snorkeling, you’ll head to a secluded beach away from the crowds for some genuine island time. The best part of this Turks and Caicos excursion is that you can find it on a variety of cruise ships, including on Silver Moon and Silver Ray during Silversea’s seasonal sailings in the area. In front of the complex is the cruise center beach known as the SunRay Beach. There are plenty of sun loungers on this beach, grab one and enjoy the beach for free. Where cruise ships dock, things to do, how to explore on your own and with shore excursions.
Boat Cruise and Fishing Tours
Whether you’re looking to explore historical sites, relax on secluded beaches, or embark on an underwater adventure, understanding your transportation options is essential. Located in the lovely Guinep House, built during the colonial era, the museum is small in size, yet full of fascinating exhibits. The Grand Turk cruise port lacks a designated indoor waiting area, but there’s free seating at the beach and around the pool.
Biking Adventure on Salt Cay
Aside from the Caribbean’s largest Margaritaville, the Grand Turk cruise port is home to a handful of other restaurants and food shacks. It is also easy to walk to a couple of other casual eateries along the beach. A small reef can be found off the beach 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of the Cruise Center near Boaby Rock Point. When weather conditions are calm, decent snorkeling can be found here. When you take an excursion to Turks and Caicos on a Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises, you'll find no shortage of beautiful and thrilling things to see and do. Don't miss out on all the dynamic scenery, historic sites, and adventurous things to do while visiting Turks and Caicos.
When you take the island excursion and arrive at the lighthouse which is on the other end of the island opposite the cruise center, you will see the zip line course. If you are brave enough, you can even zip line above the water on the last part of the course. If you are tired of shopping common trinkets available on all gift shops in the Caribbean. Head on over to the museum and Salt House gift shops as they have more authentic and locally made souvenirs. This hidden gem is located a few yards from the pier, at the end of cruise center beach.
Shopping and Food
The museum is about a 12-minute taxi ride north of the Cruise Center. If you want to learn more about the intriguing history of the Turks & Caicos Islands, you might want to visit the national museum located on Grand Turk. Built in the 1850s to help ships navigate the shallow reefs at the northern end of the island, this historic building is the only lighthouse on Grand Turk island.
Water is jetted over a preformed cushioned surface to create an artificial surfing attraction. Both stand-up surfing and body-boarding are possible, and it’s fun to simply watch others’ attempts as well. There is no public transport on Grand Turk, including train service.
If you happen to visit this beautiful island during the winter months of January to April, you can go on a humpback whale excursion. Where you will witness and if lucky get to snorkel with these majestic creatures as they migrate from the cold Atlantic Ocean waters to the warmer Caribbean waters for mating and childbearing. Once on the island, you will head over to the horse shelter north of the cruise center, where a horse will be handpicked for you, and you will start the minutes excursion. The north creek doesn’t offer much, but you might see some stingrays, barracudas, and turtles in the water. Most kayaking and paddleboarding tours end at the mouth of the inlet right below the lighthouse.
Cruise ships to Grand Turk Island dock at a 3-berth pier (Grand Turk Cruise Center) located south of Cockburn Town. The UK's Turks and Caicos territory is sized approx 166 mi2 (430 km2), and the ocean territory is around 5000 mi2 (12950 km2). The only lighthouse in the country, this beautiful (albeit not very large) structure is the main historical attraction on Grand Turk.
The Grand Turk Cruise Center is home to one of the largest swimming pools in the Caribbean. There is no charge to use the swimming pool and loungers, but it is “first come-first serve” and a popular attraction for cruisers. The beautiful Cruise Center Beach fronts the complex, and is one of the nicest cruise port beaches in the region. Grand Turk’s cruise port is one of the best cruise ports for wheelchair users. It has a step-free pier and port exit, as well as ramps and adapted bathrooms.
Most cruisers use a Grand Turk port day as a beach day, and there are plenty of picture-perfect beaches to choose from on this Island. If you want to venture from the more crowded beach at the Cruise Center, Governor’s Beach is a short distance away. Located a 1-mile boat ride away from Grand Turk island, the best way to visit stingrays in Gibbs Cay is through a tour.
Cruisers could easily spend the whole day in Margaritaville enjoying the laid-back, Caribbean vibes. Be sure to try the nachos, burgers, jerk salmon and conch fritters, and swim up to the bar for a signature Margarita. There are private air-conditioned pool cabanas available to rent through your cruise line. However, there are no towels provided, so be sure to bring your own from the ship. There’s a wide range of tourist gift and souvenir shops, art galleries, and jewelers at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. Some of these stores are regional chains, such as the Ron Jon Surf Shop, Margaritaville Trading Post, Dufry duty-free, and Diamonds International.
They will provide information and instructions to ensure your safety. Enjoy the smooth sailing catamarans are known for, as well as stops for snorkeling along the way. After spending time relaxing on the beach, you’ll sail back to the Cruise Center and enjoy a complimentary beverage. Grand Turk is the largest of the Turks Islands that make up Turks and Caicos. The island is small, measuring only 6.9 square miles, however it has both historic and natural wonders that cruise passengers will enjoy exploring.
